November 02, 2009
Geologist to Share Wealth of Knowledge on Nebraska's Gemstones
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska's Gemstones: Tiny Little Treasures will give rock hounds a chance to learn from Roger Pabian's decades of experience and research. The talk, Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Hardin Hall auditorium at 33rd and Holdrege, is free and open to the public.
Pabian, an emeritus professor of geology at the University of Nebraska, will talk about Nebraska's naturally occurring gemstones – quartz, agate, jasper, agatized wood, and occasional pieces of jade or opal – and where they can be found. His talk is part of the fall outreach series at the university's School of Natural Resources.
People are invited to bring their geological finds, whether rock or bone, if they'd like help identifying them.
Pabian got his start back in the 1960s, when he worked for the Roads Department, and prospected all over the state for building materials. "I've worked in all 93 of Nebraska's counties and different drainage basins," he said. "I noticed that what you find in one basin is completely different from what you find in another." Most of the gems in Nebraska either formed in place, eroded from mountains to the west or northwest, or were carried from the north by glaciers.
Although new gems are washed onto sandbars every time rivers rise, Pabian doesn't advise basing any get-rich-quick schemes on discovering these local treasures. Among other things, he said, markets are highly variable, and it's impossible to compete with international labor costs. Instead, he recommends learning about naturally occurring gems and going out to find them as a great family activity.
"There's a lot of good geology that can be learned through gemstones."
Pabian also will delve into why the prairie agate "is a dreadful choice for state rock."
Pabian is the author of "Minerals and Gemstones of Nebraska," which was published in 1970, and is still selling. He said that the geological information in it is still accurate, although the technology
for working with gems has changed drastically since then.
Free parking will be available adjacent to Hardin Hall and refreshments will be served.
For more information, please contact Kelly Smith, ksmith2@unl.edu, 472-3373, School of Natural Resources, or Roger Pabian, professor emeritus, rpabian1@unl.edu, 472-7564.
11/2/09-KS Kelly Smith
National Drought Mitigation Center Science Communicator (402) 472-3373
 
Roger K. Pabian
School of Natural Resources Professor Emeritus (402) 472-7564
Dan Moser IANR News Service (402) 472-3007
Department:
School of Natural Resources
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